Calls for arrest of Sudan's leader

MORE than 30 human rights and civil society organisations have called for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on the fifth anniversary of his indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

The groups expressed grave concern in an open letter on Tuesday to the UN Security Council and the International Criminal Court at the continuing impunity that al-Bashir enjoys despite being accused of "the world's most heinous crimes."

They accused the international community of not only failing to arrest al-Bashir but also allowing the Sudanese government "to continue its crimes in Darfur and throughout Sudan with impunity."

The court issued an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir in March 2009 on five counts of crimes against humanity and two of war crimes for allegedly orchestrating atrocities in Darfur. It added three counts of genocide to the charges against him in July 2010.

Darfur has been gripped by bloodshed since 2003 when rebels took up arms against the government in Khartoum, accusing it of discrimination and neglect. The United Nations says 300,000 people have died in the conflict and 2.7 million have fled their homes.

Al-Bashir refuses to recognise the court's authority and has repeatedly said he will not turn himself in to stand trial.

The organisations urged all 15 Security Council members and the 122 countries that are parties to the Rome Statute "to stand for justice and make this year the last year of Bashir's impunity."

Among the signatories of the letter are United to End Genocide, Physicians for Human Rights, Enough Project, International Justice Project and seven groups supporting the people of Darfur.